Male, female and more: Facebook announces new gender options

Video: New gender options for Facebook users

You don't just have to be male or female on Facebook anymore. The social media giant is adding a customizable option with about 50 different terms people can use to identify their gender as well as preferred pronoun choices: him, her or them. (Feb. 13)

You don't just have to be male or female on Facebook anymore. The social media giant is adding a customizable option with about 50 different terms people can use to identify their gender as well as preferred pronoun choices: him, her or them. (Feb. 13)

By Scott KleinbergChicago Tribune social media editor

Facebook users are no longer limited to selecting just male or female on their profiles.

An announcement was posted on the Facebook Diversity page: "When you come to Facebook to connect with the people, causes, and organizations you care about, we want you to feel comfortable being your true, authentic self. An important part of this is the expression of gender, especially when it extends beyond the definitions of just “male” or female.” So today, we’re proud to offer a new custom gender option to help you better express your own identity on Facebook."

There are also three preferred pronoun choices: Him, her or them.

To edit your gender information, go to your Timeline (profile), click "Update Info" at the bottom of your cover photo and scroll down to the gender section under basic information. There, if you choose to change your gender to custom, you can select a choice and then a preferred pronoun. Your preferred pronoun you select is public.

Facebook's 1.15 billion users won't have to share any information related to gender that they don't want to. The sharing audience is as customizable as any post, ranging from public to friends to select lists. But the feature is available first in the U.S. and is expected to expand around the world at a later date.

They posted what on Twitter? You did not just post that on Facebook. From pasta companies to phone companies, here are some of the big messes brands made in 2013. I did this list for 2012, and it's a close race as to which one is better. Let me know what you think by tweeting me at @scottkleinberg...